Metropolitan State University of Denver

Program Length & Format

• 4-term continuous accelerated BSN program including summer courses
• Program start: Spring semester (fall start planned beginning fall 2027)
• On-campus instruction and clinical experiences

Admission Requirements

• Previous bachelor's degree required
• Completion of nursing prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Minimum letter grade of C in each prerequisite course
• General studies requirements fulfilled by prior bachelor’s degree
• Must complete nursing prerequisite courses before program start (can complete final courses in the term prior to application deadline)

Entrance Exams

• Casper Assessment required for all applicants
• Cost of Casper Assessment is $66
• Registration instructions provided after nursing program application
• Casper scores contribute up to 4 points in the application scoring system

Prerequisites

• Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (BIO 2310)
• Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (BIO 2320)
• Microbiology for Nursing with lab (BIO 2000) or General Microbiology with lab (BIO 2400)
• Clinical Pathophysiology (ITP 4600)
• Introduction to Nutrition (NUT 2040)
• Psychology of Human Development (PSY 2210)
• Introduction to Statistics (MTH 1210) or PSY 2310 (does not count as Quantitative Literacy)
• Principles of Chemistry with lab (CHE 1100 & 1150) or equivalent (CHE 1800 & 1801)
• Labs for Anatomy, Microbiology, and Chemistry prerequisites must be in-person, not online-only
• Minimum grade of C in each course

Deadlines

• Spring 2026 Accelerated BSN application period: July 1, 2025 at 8:00 am to September 1, 2025 at 5:00 pm MT
• Future Fall cohort applications for Accelerated BSN to start Fall 2027

Application

• Two-step process:
  1. Apply and be admitted to MSU Denver as Undeclared Pre-Nursing major
  2. Apply separately to Accelerated BSN program using MSU Denver credentials
• No nursing application fee; Casper Assessment costs $66
• Submit official college transcripts for all coursework including prerequisites
• Proof of CPR certification, immunizations, background check, and drug screen required upon admission but not for application

Selection Process

• Applications scored on 10-point system including:
  • GPA in eight nursing prerequisites (up to 4 points)
  • Casper assessment (up to 4 points)
  • Credits completed at MSU Denver (up to 2 points)
• All course attempts within last 9 semesters considered in GPA calculation
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
• Applicants with prior MSU Denver credits receive additional points
• Early decisions are not noted; review occurs after application deadline

Cost & Financial Aid

• Estimated tuition and fees for accelerated BSN program (2024-2025): approximately $40,613.79
• Tuition cost is the same for in-state, out-of-state, and international students
• Additional costs include books, supplies, uniform, clinical requirements, NCLEX exam fees
• Program does not qualify for state College Opportunity Funds (COF)
• Federal Pell Grant not available to students with prior bachelor’s degree, but federal loans and work-study may be available

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Minimum of 750 clinical hours required
• Clinical placements primarily in Denver metro area, possible sites up to Greeley and Colorado Springs
• Clinical shifts generally 7 am to 7 pm, may include nights and weekends
• Clinical settings include hospitals, long-term care, outpatient facilities, schools, and others
• Simulation labs and hands-on learning integrated with coursework

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite and general studies courses may transfer if evaluated and approved by MSU Denver transcript evaluation
• Labs generally require in-person attendance; online-only labs typically not accepted for anatomy, microbiology, and chemistry prerequisites
• Transfer credits evaluated upon university admission before nursing program application

International Students

• Must apply to university and the nursing program separately
• International student application fee to university is $50
• One spot reserved in each accelerated nursing cohort for international students
• Immigration and additional documentation requirements handled through university admissions

Contacts

• Department of Nursing
  Campus Box 72
  P.O. Box 173362
  Denver, CO 80217-3362
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 303-615-1600
• Location: West Classroom, Suite 247
• Pre-Nursing Advising:
  Phone: 303-615-1099
  Email: [email protected]
  Office: West Classroom, Suite 153
  Virtual drop-in hours Tuesdays 10am-noon, Thursdays 2pm-4pm